The Chosen One

Chapter 11Forced Bridesmaid

Chapter 11

Forced Bridesmaid

“What is wrong with you?’

“For heavens sake! Do you even check your mobile?”

“Tell me that you haven’t started sleeping till late?”

“Have you started taking alcohol? Drugs,? w**d?...” she sniffed and checked her eyes

“When will I get the good news that you have quit the bakery job?”

“urgggh! Even your house smells of bakery items”

“Will you ever be successful in your life?’

“Me and your dad can ever stop worrying about you?”

“Mom” Estelle offered, “water”

Estelle was thankful for the little silence her savior water had offered till her mom drank it all.

Soon it would be over and Estelle was waiting for another round of hell.

“What brings you here?” Estelle asked before her mother could put her empty glass on the table and find out she was not using coasters at home.

She didn’t need to.

She was the only one at home with barely any visitors, not even her mom,

Her dad had visited couple of months ago but he’d rather spend time with her daughter than to observe the mess around and he too stayed only for a day.

“Cant a mom visit her daughter?” her mom was accusatory “I missed you” she said rubbing the dust off the table where she left her empty glass.

‘I missed you too’ was on the tip of her tongue when her mom said “Dakota is getting married and your dad wants her to have you as her bridesmaid.”

Estelle appeared to be excited in spite of the nagging feeling that it wasn’t her sister that chose her to be bridesmaid but it was due to dad’s forcing her

“Wow Congratulations” Estelle was louder trying to be both happy and excited “Arthur and Dakota did seem to be made for each other” She clapped her hands, removing her cellphone form her tiny backpack she said “I will call her right away. Arthur and me clicked right the day we met.”

“Hold your horses girl” her mom yelled “do you think if the groom was Arthur I would have been here with Dakota preparing for her wedding?”

“Dakota is here too?” Estelle was shocked “why didn’t she come here?”

“Aren’t you excited to know who her groom is?” Her mom asked wiping off the imaginary dust from her well-manicured nails.

Estelle hid her hands behind her, not ready to show her long, untrimmed and non-painted nails. “Who is Dakota’s fiancé then?” she did hid her disappointment of Arthur’s absence but couldn’t help her inquisitives “what happened to Arthur.”

“We did not ask” Her mom shrugged “and she is marrying Tom Warren”

“Tom Warren?”

‘Of course you wouldn’t know” her mom said distastefully “the famous Thomas Warren the star from After the dead”

“You mean Blatt? As in Character Blatt from After life the comedian and writer” Estelle had watched the series “isn’t he a bit too old for Dakota?”

‘Oh Estelle” she waved her hand dismissively “he is a successful career old, he is famous and he is RICH”

“Rich mom?” Estelle did not know she had it in her to talk back to her mother “does being rich qualifies a guy enough to get married to?”

“I am not here to explain you about Dakota’s choice.” Her mother cut her off “I am here to take you shopping because dad wants you to be Dakota’s bridesmaid and I am here to take you dress shopping.”

“But why does dad have to say about Dakota’s wedding?” Estelle was confused, ”shouldn’t it be Dakota’s choice?”

“Actually that” her mom stammered for the first time “it is dad who is funding the wedding. And he wants to have you as a bridesmaid.”

“I thought the groom was rich”

“His name is Tom Estelle” her mom warned “he is your brother-in-law now, he deserves some respect.”

“That didn’t answer my question.” Estelle folded her arms. Something did not fit right in this marriage.

“Actually Tom does not believe in marriages.” Her mom stated “and bless he’s such a sweetheart since Dakota wanted a commitment, he agreed but he had his new series that he is making, writing and directing so he does not have enough money at the moment.”

“So?” Estelle still wasn’t clear.

“So she reached out to us.” her mom said easily “and we being loving and supportive parents agreed to what’s best for our child.”

“You really think marrying guy that old is best for your daughter?” 

“Can you at least be happy for Dakota?” her mom said irritated “she’ll get a big break in his upcoming series. She is the leading actress in that.”

“Huh” Estelle could not believe what she was hearing “but…”

“Don’t you if and but here like your usual jinx self” her mom blocked her words with the back of her hand “Dakota loves him and he loves her too. Both are happy. Can’t you for heavens sake support your sister?” her mother finished with an annoyed huff.

“If that’s what you want then okay.” Estelle gave in.

“Okay what?” her mom asked irritated “they are not seeking your blessings.

“Then what do you want from me?” Estelle felt really tired 

“Dress up something nice, we are going dress shopping.” He mom ordered.

“I am fine. I have already dressed up for college.”

Her mom eyed her from top to bottom “I am not going to take you to that designer wearing a s**t like this.”

“These are my comfortable clothes and I like them “ Estelle whined.

“why don’t you understand Tom has managed his great Hollywood celebrity designer exclusively for bride and her maids, its a one in life opportunity since the designer is Tom’s friend.”

“Marriage is once in a life time thing mom” Estelle wanted to yell loudly “not the white crap you wear because whatever you wear if it is white you are gonna look like a bride only”

But gracefully and defeated she kept her opinions to herself.

         `````````

Estelle was exhausted, her sister have been worse than a bridezilla, even the latest corona virus would have been less deadlier than her sister who had been an absolute high of her wedding.

“No mom” Estelle whined, “I am tired. I don’t think I can do any more shopping.”

“Don’t be a pooper sissy” Dakota batted her artificial lashes at her ‘you cannot say no to Fahida Dawson.” She rubbed her fiancés arm who since he shook hands with Estelle formally was busy on his mobile. He was not so ever interested in the cake tasting or flowers that he was specifically going to be imported from some Asian country “Tom had pulled all his strings to get the designer on board for two dresses one of me and other for my bridesmaid.”

“You do know that I will wear anything that you’ll pick for me until and unless it does not show any of my cleavage that I am very uncomfortable displaying.”

“Oh come on sis” Dakota waved off her hand “you should know that this is Faaheed. She can even make your straight figure look beautiful.”

If Estelle felt offended about her figure she kept quiet.

“We do not have to do all in a day” Estelle stated.

Estelle was starving. They did have lunch but it was only salad. Estelle did try to order poutine but the wide fiery eyes of her mother “you have to go dress shopping. You might bloat. No don’t”

“No we have to” her mom cut in “will you stop whining like a little child and do what we are asking you to” she scolded her.

After trying her 30th dress, Dakota was on &50th or 80th probably Estelle had managed to convince herself that both her mother and sister that whatever she wore, she wouldn’t look pretty in their eyes so what was the point “you choose whatever you want to. I am on board” and she sat on the couch trying to appear busy with her mobile.

Actually she was laughing for the first time since she opened her door to her mother in the morning reading the texts Mona was sending

“Shall I call 911”

“How’s the hell?

Do you need some advil?

“Want me to send firefighters to rescue you?”

She even sent her a gif of hangman shouting bored to death.

How she wished she had taken on the offer by Triczar and stayed at Casa De` Ordon. She patted herself on he back for pronouncing the place so correct ‘Jason would have been so proud’ she thought smiling and then started toying with the delicate bracelet on her wrists wondering sadly that she ‘d miss the celebrations at the land.

She always love to learn about new cultures and traditions and this Ordon land was very unique and did everything in a fascinating way.

Her mind drifted to Triczar

What would she have probably done for him to get well. She remembered nothing that she could give herself credit for.

She was a horrible person who could not even please her mom and sister or life in general. Things that please and entertained her mom and sister actually bored and disturbed her, she was abnormal, she finally deduced from her observations

Her negative thoughts were cut by the loud shriek

“You wont believe Estelle.” Dakota was jumping in joy “Tom just managed the reservation in The High Class. Can you imagine?’ she was so happy she couldn’t hold herself “it takes almost a months advance to get a table booked in the restaurant and that too only elite could get entry to the place and Tom did it with just snap of his fingers.”

Dakota lifted her from her comfortable seat “Aren’t you happy?” she asked “or excited?’ she took a deep puff “how do I forget you are same old boring girl who’d not let me enjoy when we were sharing the rooms back home.”

“I am okay” Estelle answered humbly “ and happy as I am. Honestly I do not crave for such places neither I have heard of it but if you are so excited about it, it should be good.”

“yes yes yes” Dakota  was high “it is amazing. Come on now lets get home so we can get dressed for the night.” Estellle looped her arms in her Estelle’s elbow f or the first time “We have to dress well. Tom said some of his Hollywood associates are also meeting us there.”

Estelle groaned mutedly. She did not want to play Barbie dressing with her sister.

Even in childhood she never liked how Estelle dressed the Barbie they shared.

“But I do not have any fancy make up stuff” Estelle tried to get out of it.

“No problems” Dakota dismissed “honey” she called Tom “can I have you card please I want to spoil my sis at Sephora”

Tom who was yet again busy with his phone yelling at God knows whom but immediately pulled out the wallet from his perfectly fit denim jeans and handed it over to Dakota.

It was an elite limitless card and for the first time since they met Estelle thought that if he could trust her sister enough to hand over the limitless debit card without reasoning or arguing then probably may be he really loved Dakota.

“Will he be okay?” Estelle asked pointing towards Tom who was seated on one of the benches of the mall still yelling on the phone “he seems a bit upset.”

“Yeah” Dakota shrugged ‘he has his business face on. He’ll be fine”

“You sure?” Estelle asked, “he looks a little short tempered.”

“Don’t worry” Dakota stated “he’s a different person in the closed doors with me.” She then uttered excited ”and in the bed he is a magician, he does that thing with his finger…..”

“hush hush sssh… right there” Estelle stopped her “please I do not want to know about your s*x life.”

“Oh my God!” “ Dakota shrieked, “You are still a virgin”

Estelle held her wrist tightly “sshhh you don’t have to be that loud about it.”

Realizing all of the eyes of people shopping Sephora on them Dakota pressed her lips and giggled nodding in understanding  

“But really Estelle” Dakota asked curiously “what is the point of staying alone if you do not call guys over at home to do the …” she wriggled her brows at her.

Ignoring her Estelle moved towards the section of nail paints. Hers were dried and before her mom would pester her about the manicure she’d rather buy one especially it was her brother in law who was paying.

She was not the kind of person to shop at others money but she did deserve something to get herself being tortured by his fiancée aka her sister.

“Hey here” Dakota pulled Estelle’s wrist pouring the foundation on them then judging between the three, giving a  victorious look she went ahead, she came back again with some testers. She repeated the thing for almost an hour.

Here he pushed the pink glittery pouch at her, this one is for you and this one’s mine she waved the red sequined bag at her. ”now lets go make ourself beautiful”

“What is this?” Estelle peeped inside the bag pushing it back towards her like it had a live bomb “this stuff is freaking too expensive. I cannot have it.”

“Relax” Dakota laughed “its okay to be spoilt once in a while and more than that Tom is loaded. It would even cause a scratch in his pocket.”

“Then why is he not paying for the wedding?” words slipped from Estelle mouth before she could stop herself.

 “So mom told you?” It wasn’t a question that she was expecting an answer but she was disappointed.

“She had to explain why I had to be your choice of bridesmaid.” Estelle shrugged.

“Oh that” Dakota curved her lips like a fish pout acknowledging that she actually did not want to pick her as bridesmaid

‘a little drama or lie that she loved her sister and couldn’t think of anyone else as her bridesmaid could have been better” the bitter voice inside her was back but she dismissed it. She did not want to hurt herself any further.

“You know Serene is not talking to me since I have chosen you as my maid of honor” Dakota explained as if she’d done a big favor on Estelle for picking her over her best friend.

“I am sorry about that’ Estelle said softly trying to put in genuine emotion ”don’t worry she’ll come around” Dakota dismissed “I just want you to look gorgeous at my wedding.”

‘Whatever” Estelle mumbled feeling a  bit offended that her sister does not feel it up to her standards to have Estelle as her maid of honor.

“Where were you guys?’ Estelle’s mom shouted she had another bag of Sephora in her hands “I am starving”

“I thought you were suit shopping for dad for the wedding” Estelle asked

“Oh that” she threw her free hand in the air  “Dakota texted that she was at Sephora and I was exhausted with my primer. So I too came in.

“This looks more than a bottle of primer” Estelle gestured at the huge bag in her hands 

Her mom pouted sheepishly “I might have got overboard since Tom was paying.”

Estelle simply nodded her head disappointed ignoring which her mother and her sister and walked away.

`````````

Estelle was seated in her living room while her mom and her sister fussed over the dresses and their hairdo in her bedroom.

She wondered how much time she’ll take to clear the mess they had created with all the clothes on the floor, used tissues overloading the dustbin.

She pressed the tiny sapphire on her wrists wishing that she was there at the Casa de` Ordon and escape the whole dinner which had turned out to be a gala with loads of paparazzi. 

“You ready?” Estelle’s mom asked as they were finally out of the room, her mom looking gorgeous in the black fish cut cocktail gown, her dark eyes looking prettier with heavy make up, her tall frame looking even bigger with the high pointed heels she wore 

She wanted to tell that ‘she shouldn’t wear them since doctor had prescribed her strictly not to’ but she found herself choking on her words.

When her sister arrived in red knee length cocktail dress she now realized why Tom chose her to be his bride since she was beautiful, her golden eyes were a shade lighter than moms yet beautiful. She carried herself pretty well with her dark make up and dark heels.

Estelle stood up trying to flatten her gray sequined dress but found herself feeling dizzy.

She was about to fall when her mom held “are you alright?” she asked shouting, “s**t! You are burning. You have fever.”

“You should lie down” Dakota suggested and Estelle who now felt the heat of her body cocooned herself on the couch.”

“I’ll get a blanket” her mom offered.

“You want me to stay’ her mom asked.

“No I’ll be fine, just give me a jar of water” Estelle denied wanting to be alone.

Tucking her into bed placing some fruits and water on the table besides her.

She might have dozed off when a soft warm touch startled her.

“You ready?” she pressed her eyes tightly, then rubbed them before opening them to find a blurry image.

She winked her yes and opened them to find Jason standing in front of her 

“Jason” Estelle sat realizing she wasn’t that dizzy like earlier, her mom might have dispersed some medicine in the water.

“Come lets go” Jason told.

“I cant” Estelle huffed “I am sick. I have fever.”

“You are?” Jason smiled “you do?’

“What do you mean? ”Estelle was taken aback by his inconsideration

“Get up and check for yourself” he said amused.

Eying him like some heartless prick Estelle stood thinking that since she isn’t well she’d immediately fall off.

But once on her feet Estelle felt fresh like a morning Daisy.

“Are you fit and healthy?” Jason amused through the squint of his eyes.

‘I don’t understand” Estelle said shocked “I was so sick I couldn’t breathe.”

Jason lifted her wrist “that was your wish Czarina” he said “you wished to visit the Casa De ordon for celebration while holding the stone” he extended his arms “and your wish is granted.”

Estelle was smiling , her eyes twinkling and then suddenly her expression changed 

She lifted her wrists in horror, “this bracelet is bewitched…?